Saturday, March 23, 2024
HomeEditor PicksIs Dry Mouth A Sign Of Diabetes

Is Dry Mouth A Sign Of Diabetes


Tingling Or Numbness In Hands Or Feet

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes

A tingling or numb sensation in the bodys extremities such as hands and feet is a common early sign of diabetes.

It tends to occur first thing in the morning after you wake up, and can even feel more like a burning sensation.

Why does this happen?: Sugar that lingers in the blood will begin to damage nerves and nerve-endings. Nerves that are furthest from the heart are not well repaired due to circulation problems.

Whats The Connection Between Dry Mouth And Diabetes Symptoms

Is a dehydrated mouth a symptom of diabetes? The answer is yes. Xerostomia diabetes is prevalent among diabetic patients. Dry throat, tongue, lips, and chapped lips, are some of the most common symptoms in diabetes. This syndrome can quickly exacerbate diabetes side effects, leading to an increase in glucose level.

It is not just a symptom of hyperglycemia, but could also be the cause of it. A diabetic patient with hyperglycemia can suffer endless tooth decays. This would mean an increase in blood sugar as the body struggles to eliminate the infection.


You might be wondering why dry mouth is commonplace among diabetes patients. The effects of diabetes mediation and higher blood sugars are to blame for a parched mouth and lips. Adopting a diabetic neuropathy in diabetes can also lead to dry mouth while sleeping.

Dry Mouth & Diabetes: Managing The Symptoms

This November during National Diabetes Month, healthcare professionals across the country are working to bring awareness to signs and symptoms of the disease. Because there is no vaccine or miracle drug for diabetes, it is crucial that attention is brought to the impact that diabetes has on quality of life. As those with diabetes and their family know, there is more to the disease than pricking your finger or taking insulin. It is important that all aspects of physical well-being are addressed to help those living with diabetes.

Recommended Reading: What Cheese Can Diabetics Eat

Why Do Some Diabetics Have Dry Mouth Problems

Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia, and its believed that diabetics are prone to dry mouth due to high blood glucose levels. Another issue is the fact diabetics produce less saliva than most non-diabetics, according to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology. Dry mouth issues may affect people with both forms of diabetes . While all people with diabetes dont develop dry mouth problems, they are not uncommon, either.

Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes

Dry Mouth

Type 2 diabetes can cause serious health complications. That’s why it is very important to know how to spot type 2 diabetes symptoms. Even prediabetes can increase the chance of heart disease, just like type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about preventive measures you can take now to reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes due to high blood sugar may include: Increased thirst Increased hunger Unexplained weight loss Fatigue Loss of consciousness Contact your health care provider if you have any type 2 diabetes symptoms or if you have further questions about type 2 diabetes. It’s important to get diabetes testing and start a treatment plan early to prevent serious diabetes complications. Type 2 diabetes is usually not diagnosed until health complications have occurred. Most often, there are no diabetes symptoms or a very gradual development of the above symptoms of type 2 diabetes. In fact, about one out of every four people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include: Slow-healing sores or cuts Itching of the skin Recent weight gain or unexplained weight loss Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit, and groin, called acanthosis nigricans Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet Erectile dysfunction Continue reading > >


Recommended Reading: What Is A High Blood Sugar Reading

Extremely Dry Itchy Skin

Dry, itchy skin

If you have diabetes, youre more likely to have dry skin. High blood sugar can cause this. If you have a skin infection or poor circulation, these could also contribute to dry, itchy skin.

Take action
  • Tell your doctor about your extremely dry skin. Gaining better control of diabetes can reduce dryness.
  • If you continue to have dry skin after you gain better control of your diabetes, a dermatologist can help.

Now Is Endocrinologa Diabetes Y Nutricin More Information

Index Medicus/MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica/EMBASE, SCOPUS, Science Citation Index Expanded, Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, IBECS

SRJ is a prestige metric based on the idea that not all citations are the same. SJR uses a similar algorithm as the Google page rank it provides a quantitative and qualitative measure of the journal’s impact.

SNIP measures contextual citation impact by wighting citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field.


Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent disease worldwide which currently affects 347 million people according to the World Health Organization. There are complications of diabetes which are little known either to healthcare professionals or to the patients themselves, including periodontal disease and other manifestations in the oral cavity such as xerostomia, a burning sensation, and increased infection.1,2 The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with DM have a greater frequency of xerostomia.

187 0.0001

Our study has several limitations. First of all, the translated version of the Xerostomia Inventory has not been validated in Spanish. In addition, a hospital sample was used, which limits the generalizability of our results. The difficulty of measuring the degree of xerostomia, which is based on subjective sensations, should also be taken into consideration.

No funding was received for this research.

The authors state that they have no conflicts of interest.

Read Also: High Blood Sugar In Morning Symptoms


What Is The Insulin Sensitivity Factor

The insulin sensitivity factor tells you how many points, in mg/dL, your blood sugar will drop for each unit of insulin that you take. The insulin sensitivity factor is also sometimes called a correction factor. You need to know this number to correct a blood sugar level thats too high. This is most useful for people with type 1 diabetes.

Good Dental Health And Diabetes Are Connected

What Can Diabetics Do About Dry Mouth?

Dental health is one such area that may not be so obvious when thinking about diabetes. Dry mouth, a common symptom, is a serious issue that should not be overlooked. Dry mouth occurs when not enough saliva is produced and is more than just feeling thirsty. It is painful, uncomfortable, and could lead to further complications like infection or sores in the oral cavity. For some, dry mouth is temporary. People with diabetes, however, face a tougher challenge.

Dry mouth is a common symptom and cause of high blood sugar for reasons that are currently unclear to scientists. For everyone, saliva is an essential part of the digestive system and an important defense against germs. But having a dry mouth, especially as a diabetic, can lead to tooth decay.

You May Like: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar

Why Are Diabetics More Susceptible

A Dry Mouth isnt always just a result of dehydration. Diabetes and Dry Mouth are linked, as diabetes causes a reduction in saliva. With between 40%-80% of diabetics reporting Dry Mouth symptoms, the condition can be a result of diabetes. Reduced saliva can lead to tooth decay or an oral condition such as gingivitis. This nagging complaint can disrupt sleep, cause changes in oral hydration and fluctuations in your sense of smell and taste. Diabetics may also experience Dry Mouth as a result of various medications.


When To See A Dermatologist

Diabetes can cause many other skin problems. Most skin problems are harmless, but even a minor one can become serious in people who have diabetes. A board-certified dermatologist can recognize skin problems due to diabetes and help you manage them.

Are all dermatologists board certified?

No. See what it takes to become board certified.

ImagesImage 1: Image Courtesy of Clark C. Otley, MD. All Rights Reserved

Images 3, 7, 8, 9: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Image 2 from DermNetNZ


Some images used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

ReferencesCohen Sabban, EN. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus from A to Z. Focus session presented at: 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology March 4-8, 2016 Washington D.C.

Duff M, Demidova O, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Clinical Diabetes. 2015 33:40-8.

Kalus AA, Chien AJ, et al. Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:1461-70.

McKinley-Grant L, Warnick M, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease. In: Kelly AP and Taylor S. Dermatology for Skin of Color. . The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. China, 2009:481-4.


Morgan AJ and Schwartz RA. Diabetic dermopathy: A subtle sign with grave implications. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 58:447-51.

You May Like: Non Islet Cell Tumor Hypoglycemia

Chronically High Blood Sugar Levels

But if your symptoms of a dry mouth are persistent, its likely a sign that your blood sugars are running too high on a regular basis.

Chronic dry mouth is easy to dismiss as no big deal, but it can easily lead to an infection and gum disease if left untreated.

If you combine high blood sugar levels with inadequate amounts of saliva, the risk for these conditions increases significantly:


  • fungal infection
  • tooth decay
  • gum disease
  • thrush or candidiasis

Your mouth was designed to be at its healthiest in a moist environment. It relies on saliva to help remove food and bacteria from your mouth.

Along with the many other complications that can develop from persistent high blood sugars, your mouth is vulnerable, too.

  • Learn how to lower your A1c in Diabetes Strongs A1c Guide.

What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Mouth

Dry Mouth: Is This An Early Warning Sign Of Diabetes?

If youre having dry mouth problems, which are common in diabetics, but not exclusive to diabetics, you may notice that your mouth feels sticky. You might also have bad breath, whether youre aware of it or not. Mouth sores, cracked lips and dry throat may also occur. Additionally, speaking may be difficult. Some people with dry mouth have excessive thirst. Other symptoms to watch for include sore throat, a hoarse speaking voice, and dry, inflamed tongues. You may have some of these symptoms or most of them, as everyone is different.

You May Like: Can Type 2 Diabetics Eat Bananas

Saliva Substitutes And Stimulants

If the measures above dont help, your dentist, GP or specialist may suggest using an artificial saliva substitute to keep your mouth moist. This may come in the form of a spray, gel or lozenge. Use it as often as you need to, including before and during meals.


If your dry mouth is caused by radiotherapy or Sjögren’s syndrome, a medication called pilocarpine may be prescribed. This is taken as a tablet several times a day to help stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva.

However, pilocarpine isn’t suitable for everyone, as it may cause side effects, such as sweating or headaches.

Type 2 Diabetes Is Marked By High Blood Sugar

More than 34 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . But one-fourth of those people dont know they have the condition.

Getting your annual physical, which typically involves testing your fasting blood sugar levels, is a great first-line screening for type 2 diabetes, no matter how healthy you think your blood sugar levels are, says Dawn Turner, RD, CDCES, a diabetes educator at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Illinois. If your physician finds your levels to be high, theyll evaluate your A1C, which is a two- to three-month average of your blood sugar levels. That said, based on your family history, age, and overall health, your doctor may go ahead and include an A1C test in your yearly workup.

To stay fully on top of your metabolic health, you need to listen to what your body is telling you. Because type 2 diabetes affects every cell in the body, the condition can cause a wide range of symptoms, says Fernando Ovalle, MD, the director of the multidisciplinary diabetes clinic at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. No two people with type 2 diabetes experience the condition in the exact same way, and the number of symptoms, as well as their severity, fluctuate from person to person. Dr. Ovalle notes that most symptoms of type 2 diabetes come on and progress gradually.


Don’t Miss: Metformin Dosing Guidelines

How Can Diabetes Affect My Mouth

Too much glucose, also called sugar, in your blood from diabetes can cause pain, infection, and other problems in your mouth. Your mouth includes

  • your teeth
  • your gums
  • your jaw
  • tissues such as your tongue, the roof and bottom of your mouth, and the inside of your cheeks

Glucose is present in your salivathe fluid in your mouth that makes it wet. When diabetes is not controlled, high glucose levels in your saliva help harmful bacteria grow. These bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. Plaque also comes from eating foods that contain sugars or starches. Some types of plaque cause tooth decay or cavities. Other types of plaque cause gum disease and bad breath.

Gum disease can be more severe and take longer to heal if you have diabetes. In turn, having gum disease can make your blood glucose hard to control.

Where Can You Get More Help With This If You Need It

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms

If you like using your smartphone, you can use an app to help you calculate your insulin sensitivity factor and dosage.


Search for insulin sensitivity or insulin correction calculators on your iPhone or Android device. Find one that seems easy to use and play around with it until you feel comfortable.

You may also be able to find online resources, such as the American Association of Diabetes Educators website, or you can ask your doctor for help.

Recommended Reading: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar

Dry Mouth Treatment In Diabetes

Can diabetes cause dry mouth? This is a question that is often asked, and the answer yes. Thankfully, dry mouth resulting from a diabetic condition can be treated. The first step to treatment is prevention. If you believe the medication you are taking is to blame, talk to your GP about options. Also, ensure that you monitor your blood sugar level. Keep them under control by exercising, taking the prescribed medication, and eating a proper diet. It is vital to also avoid diabetes type 2 contributors of dry mouth such as smoking.

Take enough water quantities throughout the day eat more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, avoiding beverages and foods high in sugar and salt. These two have drying effects. Dry mouthsyndrome signals diabetes, meaning you need to avoid diets packed with refined sugars. Such diets and those with fermented carbohydrates make it hard to regulate the levels of blood glucose. Foods low in carbohydrates offer essential nutrients to your body without creating a spike in blood sugars.


Is Having A Dry Mouth A Sign Of Diabetes

DRY MOUTH Doc Willie Ong discusses if having a dry mouth is an early warning sign of diabetes and among other underlying indication of this symptom.

What is the connection of a dry mouth and diabetes? Have you ever experienced this? Dry mouth is also called as xerostomia and is a common symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes but not everyone with diabetes will experience this.

A rough and dry tongue, lack of moisture in the mouth, frequent pain, cracked and chapped lips, sores in the mouth, oral cavity infections, and difficulty with swallowing, talking, or chewing are just some of the factors to determine if you have this kind of symptom.

People with diabetes are susceptible to this and yeast infection because of the high glucose levels in the blood and saliva. This is which is why it is important to keep your blood sugar level within the recommended range and to keep yourself hydrated. Other ways to stimulate salivation are sugar-free gum, mouthwash, and mints.

Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

  • avoid spicy and salty foods
  • moisture in the air can help relieve it, thus, use a humidifier
  • avoid caffeine, tobacco, and beverages that contains alcohol
  • drink eight to 10 glasses of water everyday
  • regular dental check-up

Meanhile, in a previous article, there are other symptoms of diabetes which you must not neglect and some are the following:

  • Fatigue
  • Unusual weight loss or weight gain
  • Yeast infection
  • Itching in groin or vagina
  • Increased urination

Recommended Reading: Bad Insulin Side Effects

Assemble Your Diabetes Support Team

Managing diabetes is a lifelong challenge and one that will be much easier if you have a good support system around you. Make sure you have a great medical team, which should include your doctor, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist and possibly even a dietitian. You should also enlist your friends and family. They can help spot signs of diabetes that you might not notice immediately.

Continue Learning About Diabetes And Oral Health

Diabetes type 2 warning: Does your mouth taste like this ...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Recommended Reading: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

How Can I Prepare For A Visit To My Dentist

Plan ahead. Talk with your doctor and dentist before the visit about the best way to take care of your blood glucose during dental work.

You may be taking a diabetes medicine that can cause low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia. If you take insulin or other diabetes medicines, take them and eat as usual before visiting the dentist. You may need to bring your diabetes medicines and your snacks or meal with you to the dentists office.

You may need to postpone any nonemergency dental work if your blood glucose is not under control.

If you feel nervous about visiting the dentist, tell your dentist and the staff about your feelings. Your dentist can adapt the treatment to your needs. Dont let your nerves stop you from having regular checkups. Waiting too long to take care of your mouth may make things worse.

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Articles